Abstract
We calculate the homotopy groups which yield the topological classification of defects for the smectic A and C phases. After having shown how a direct use of classical methods in algebraic topology lead to the required results, a more intuitive and geometrical discussion of the results is given, which relies on the fact that a specific disclination line should disappear in a physical transition from the Sm C to the Sm A phases

This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit: